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  • Rebeka Rutledge The Boerstlers were married one day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and celebrated 70 years of marriage Dec. 8. Rebeka Rutledge/The Duncan Banner

    Montie and Reba Boerstler
December 27, 2011

70 years — through love and war

War marriage bonded them

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Although we don’t like them for to, plans can change in the blink of an eye and we must adapt. That is exactly what Montie and Reba Boerstler had to do 70 years ago.

In December 1941, 20-year-old Montie was home on furlough from the Army and planned to marry 19-year-old Reba Godsey close to Christmas. The couple had grown up together in Jenks and were high school sweethearts.

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor immediately changed their wedding plans. When President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and Germany early the next day, Montie knew he soon would be called back.

Therefore, while at his sister’s home in Muskogee, he and Reba said their vows as Dr. W.A. Crisswell presided.

Two days later, Montie headed back to his division in Fort Devens, Mass. They were separated for close to five months, which wasn’t easy but something they both knew couldn’t be helped.

“We were young, we put up with just about anything,” said Montie.

War wasn’t the only difficulty the couple faced at the beginning of marriage. Montie said, “Her daddy didn’t like me.” However, Reba’s mother did and later her father also softened.

“When I was wounded in France during World War II, I got a postcard from him saying he was sorry I got shot up,” Montie said. “We started getting to be buddies after that.”

After Montie returned stateside, the couple’s reunion was a happy one. Reba joined her husband in Massachusetts, where they finally got an apartment after a long search.

“You had a hard time finding an apartment back then,” Montie said. “We even lived in a converted barn for a time.”

The Boerstlers moved to Duncan in 1952, after Montie returned from fighting in Japan during the Korean War. He had been stationed at Fort Sill, but wanted to get out of the service.

Montie went to work for Stanlin Oil & Gas, which is now known as British Petroleum. He also was a commander of the Army reserve in this area.

“I got acquainted with a lot of people,” he said.

For a while, Reba was a housewife and mother before going to work at Anthony’s, which used to be a clothing store on Main. She also worked for Dr. Schick as a dental assistant.

The couple have two children,  Harold and wife Beverly of Amarillo, Texas, and Janice Wood of Longview, Texas. They also have four grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. They have recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, which is a notable accomplishment.

They planned to eat at Golden Corral with their daughter, who was going to be visiting.

Reba said reaching this milestone anniversary “hasn’t been easy,” however they seem as devoted as ever to one another. Although, to others, 70 years together may look like an amazing feat, Reba said “to us it’s just everyday living.”

What is the secret to making it to your 70th anniversary, you might ask.

“Doing a lot of fighting and making up,” said Montie.

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